Bahrain to review car speed limits

Manama, April 2, 2008

A review of Bahrain's speed limits is now underway on roads across the country, the government has announced.

The UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has been appointed to conduct the study by the Works Ministry.

It will be carried out in partnership with the General Directorate of Traffic and is part of a five-year action plan to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries on Bahrain's roads.

Director of roads planning and design Huda Fakhroo said it would last for six months and consider current traffic conditions, operating speeds and the impact of major developments, as well as future changes to the road network.

'As part of the study, detailed traffic surveys will be undertaken on most major roads, such as Shaikh Isa bin Salman Highway, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Highway, Shaikh Hamad Road, King Faisal Highway, Estiqlal Highway and other residential and local roads to determine traffic volumes, speed and composition,' she said.

'The movement and speed limit for heavy goods vehicles and large vehicles will also be assessed as part of this study to determine a safe operating speed.'

Once the review is complete a set of recommendations will be drawn up along with a plan of action, which could see a number of speed limits changed.

A guideline on setting future speed limits based on best international practice will also be produced.

However, the recommendations and action plan will first be presented to Traffic Board for approval before any changes are made, added Fakhroo.-TradeArabia News Service